There are some 1300 ethanol industry leaders gathered this week in Phoenix to celebrate 30 years of advocating for ethanol at the 2011 National Ethanol Conference. Chuck Woodside, General Manager of farmer-owned KAAPA Ethanol in Minden, Nebraska is the current chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “I am fortunate to follow in the footsteps of great leaders in this …
2011 State of the Ethanol Industry
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is celebrating 30 years of advocating for the ethanol industry, and while the industry has come a long way since that time, some things never change. Giving the “State of the Ethanol Industry” address to some 1300 attendees at the National Ethanol Conference, RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen started off quoting the organization’s first …
Live Feed of State of Ethanol Industry
Good morning from Phoenix, AZ and the National Ethanol Conference. We’re going to stream the opening remarks and state of the industry speech for you starting at 8am MST. On the stage will be Renewable Fuels Association Chairman, Chuck Woodside and President/CEO Bob Dinneen. After their remarks I’ll post the audio and recorded video for you as soon as I …
Gaining A Better Understanding of the Ethanol Industry
The Chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association is Chuck Woodside, KAAPA Ethanol, LLC. He gave everyone a welcoming speech prior to the start of today’s golf tournament. I spoke with him during breakfast. Chuck says he brings a lot of people from his company to the conference to gain a broader understanding of what’s been accomplished over the last year …
Preview of National Ethanol Conference
The National Ethanol Conference in now underway in Phoenix, AZ. Cindy and I are here and will bringing you all the action. We started out cool and wet for this morning’s golf tournament. The course remains open all afternoon for those who want to complete their round. I sat down with Bob Dinneen, CEO, Renewable Fuels Association for our annual …
Oil Scores a Victory in House, Ethanol Continues Battle
In an update to a story posted earlier this week, in a late night vote the House of Representatives have approved provisions that would block the implementation of E15 into the marketplace. Rep. John Sullivan (R-OK) presented a provision to the House Continuing Resolution (a short-term resolution that would fund the government through the end of this year) that would …
Fuel Marketer: Fed Tax Break Helps Biodiesel Price
An Indiana-based oil exploration, production, refining and marketing company (including biodiesel) says reinstatement of the federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel blenders credit is helping make the green fuels competitive with non-renewable petroleum products. CountryMark of Indianapolis says biodiesel blended fuel prices at the farmer-owned cooperative are reflecting the difference the credit is making: “The biodiesel blender tax credit of a dollar per …
USDA Matches Biofuels Facilities with Feedstocks
The USDA is working on matching the best places to build biofuel refineries with the areas that have the best feedstocks to produce the green fuels. This Agricultural Research Service article says they’ve been looking at the potential in the Pacific Northwest: [ARS] agronomist George Mueller-Warrant, plant physiologist Gary Banowetz, and hydrologist Jerry Whittaker calculated that the 6.2 million tons …
FAO Promotes Farming Food & Fuel
According to a new report, “Making Integrated Food-Energy Systems (IFES) Work for People and Climate – An Overview,” the simultaneous production of food and fuel by farmers can help to reduce poverty in countries such as Africa, Asia and Latin America. This according to FAO who published the report this week. “Farming systems that combine food and energy crops present …
SoloPower Receives $197 DOE Loan Guarantee
SoloPower, a manufacturer of flexible thin film solar cells and modules announced that it has received a conditional commitment from the U.S. DOE for a $197 million loan guarantee. The funds will be used to help complete construction of their manufacturing facility located in Wilsonville, Oregon, when complete, will produce around 400 MW of thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules each …